tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post5682269468786760033..comments2024-03-27T02:59:56.632-07:00Comments on Jim Langley's Bicycle Beat: BIKE REPAIR: Our Epic Quest To Find & Silence Every Bicycle Noise!Jim Langleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-51519377260183795192012-02-09T08:18:03.490-08:002012-02-09T08:18:03.490-08:00Some more helpful noise-busters came in from Profe...Some more helpful noise-busters came in from Professor Bill. He writes, "My local bicyle shop and others I've used wrap the white teflon plumber's tape you can get at hardware stores around the bottom bracket threads to keep the BB quiet. And I can tell you from experience riding them on my singlespeeds that only 2 brands of singlespeed freewheels are quiet or silent: Shimano and White Brothers (at $100, it better be). I have had only one click or clack out of many Shimano freewheels. Meanwhile Dicta, WCS and the others from India and wherever are worthless in my experience. One more thing that makes noise is worn SPD cleats. They can squeak. So replace them before they get to that point and keep them lubricated, too."<br /><br />Thanks, Bill!Jim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-81634923541989676692012-02-09T08:16:42.720-08:002012-02-09T08:16:42.720-08:00Craig from Australia sent this email about a creak...Craig from Australia sent this email about a creaking noise from his seatpost and his ingenious solution, so I thought I'd post it as a comment in case it helps you out. Craig wrote, "Thanks for your site, Jim. I found it when searching for a solution to my creaking carbon seatpost and although I didn't find a solution, in the days following I found what seems to be a fix so here it is: My bike is a 2007 Look 585 Team and I have a 3T Dorico Team/LTD seatpost. After a particularly wet century ride my seatpost developed a creaking noise when I was riding in the saddle. My solution: After eliminating other sources of the creak, i.e. bottom bracket, pedals, cracked frame, etc., I narrowed down the source to the seat/seatpost area. I swapped seatposts but the noise persisted, I swapped saddles but still the noise persisted, I lubricated the seatpost binder bolt but with no luck. I reinstalled the seatpost with carbon assembly paste. Again no luck!<br /><br />I discovered when I listened closely that the noise was coming from the point where the seatpost ended in the seat tube inside the frame. My initial thought was that as my weight went back on the seatpost it was causing the post to pivot very slightly at the binder bolt point where the frame is reinforced through the carbon lug, causing a slight deformation and rub in the thinner walls of the seat tube. My first try to fix the noise was to go from a 350mm to a 250mm seatpost. This only reduced the noise but at least I knew I was on the right track.<br /><br />I then started thinking about the circumstances that had caused the noise. I figured the wet ride had maybe washed something out of the area that had been providing lubrication. Having read the warnings on using grease with carbon I had to rule that option out so I thought about what could have been there. I figured over time that due to use, a small amount of fine carbon dust had formed in the seat tube that had been providing 'lubrication.' I needed a substance to mimic this. So I went to the hardware store and purchased a bottle of graphite powder, squirted it into the seat tube and immediately the noise was gone! Hope this is of use to you and the visitors to your site."<br /><br />Thanks, Craig!Jim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-5489735967579789792012-01-20T08:16:19.114-08:002012-01-20T08:16:19.114-08:00You did, Fred, but it's still a great bike noi...You did, Fred, but it's still a great bike noise tip. Shoelaces can make noise, rubber soled shoes rubbing the crankarm can make a squeaking noise, zippers on your clothing can make a metallic rattle and a jacket can flap in the breeze and might make you think something's wrong with your bike. So you're absolutely right that you need to check your clothing along with your bike when some noise is driving you batty. Thanks for the tip!<br />JimJim Langleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04184699406623972210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6752457184418512360.post-9417534728804930052012-01-19T16:03:01.032-08:002012-01-19T16:03:01.032-08:00I think I might have sent you this before, but it ...I think I might have sent you this before, but it bears repeating. My MTB had an intermittent metallic clink-tick. It only happened when pedaling, but didn't happen all the time. Drove me nuts. Tried everything, FD adjustment, chain-ring bolts, etc, etc. It would seem to go away for a while, only to resurface.<br /><br />Then one day I happened to glance down and discover what it was: the tip of my shoelace (technically, the aglet) was hitting the side of my water-bottle cage. It was intermittent because only my old pair of MTB shoes have laces plus the noise went away when there was a bottle in the cage. <br /><br />I guess the lesson is, don't forget to check yourself in addition to the bike when tracking down mystery sounds!Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00574554371253301662noreply@blogger.com